The PC is not a typewriter
a style manual for creating professional-level type on your personal computer
by Robin Williams · first published 1992
50% recommend50% neutral
Ever wonder why some type looks more professional, more sophisticated than other type? The answer lies in the techniques and rules developed for professional typesetting. Not surprisingly, those methods are far different than the training given in Typing 1A. This book not only lays down the principles governing traditional type, but explains the logic behind them. The original version, titled The Mac is Not a Typewriter, sold over 75,000 copies, received scores of rave reviews, and won the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award from the Publishers Marketing Association. Tailored specifically for
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I first came across these guidelines in Robin William's books[1]. I read a couple of them (The Non-Designer's Design Book and The PC is Not a Typewriter) back in the mid 2000s and found them to be very useful as an amateur desktop publisher. I thoroughly recommend her books for any lay person with an interest in understanding the basic principles of typography.…
on “Five minute guide to better typography” ↗This is covered in the "The PC Is Not a Typewriter"[1], by Robin Williams. (No, not that Robin Williams.) I adjusted from two spaces to one back in 1999 or so, when I read this book, and the adjustment wasn't as painful as I thought it'd be. I learned…
on “Space After Periods (1993)” ↗…(https://www.amazon.com/Mac-Not-Typewriter-2nd/dp/0201782634) may help get them some idea about style. It is 15 years old, targets print, and is aimed at Mac users, but that doesn’t matter that much. (For PC users, there is “the PC is not a typewriter” (https://www.amazon.com/Pc-not-typewriter-Robin-Williams/dp/0...), but that is even older, so I’m not sure it will be more useful than the original, unless your users are using WordPerfect or Ventura…
on “Five minute guide to better typography” ↗Robin Williams devotes a chapter of her book, "The PC is not a Typewriter", on the subject. She concurs. http://www.amazon.com/Pc-Not-Typewriter-Robin-Williams/dp/09...
on “Why you should never use two spaces after a period” ↗